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Articles by Shakil Butt
When positive action works (and when it doesn’t)
As a public authority and employer, fire services have a legal responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that their employment practices, policies and service delivery are fair, inclusive and free from unlawful discrimination.
Name bias and me: why names matter at work, and beyond
Shakespeare’s famous line from Romeo and Juliet – “That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet” – suggests that names do not matter. It is a good argument, but flawed. A name is an integral part of a person’s identity, and for that reason, it’s important for employers and employees alike to get names right, and to reduce name bias at work. My name is pronounced She-keel but I did what many do, and allowed my name to be anglicised.
Book excerpt: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Explained by Shakil Butt
To mark the recent release of Shakil Butt’s new book Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Explained, HRZone has been given access to an excerpt from chapter 2. The book is designed to help early-career HR practitioners with an EDI remit to better understand and implement effective EDI initiatives. In this excerpt, Butt explores the role of EDI in HR and how different models of HR incorporate EDI.
Don’t shut down conversation about divisive issues - HR Magazine
Though it's tempting to try and shut down workplace conversations about divisive issues, stifling conversation is unlikely to be successful. The end of the war in Gaza seems imminent. Last week we saw images of relief and jubilation on our screens, as a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas. Joy is mixed with sadness over the loss of all innocent lives.
How should HR respond to UK riots? - HR Magazine
The hateful thuggery being witnessed is from the very society that organisations recruit from, and provide services and sell products to. There are several practical steps that can be taken by employers in response to this hatred. Read more: Back to basics... Criminal offences outside the workplace The most obvious one is identifying work colleagues who have been gracing our screens with violent, racist behaviour.
Christian social worker case: are there implications for diversity at work?
The recent case of a Christian social worker winning a claim for discrimination due to his views on homosexuality stopped short of ruling that the organisation refused to employ him based on his stance. Shakil Butt looks at the implications of the tribunal decision for recruiters. “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” is the famous quote from Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Diane Abbott’s experience of racism in parliament mirrors the experiences of minorities in many workplaces
I have heard the phrase ‘I don’t see colour’ over the years, often by people who are trying to convince you they are not racist. In the case of Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, this phrase has taken on new meaning, rendering her in effect ‘invisible’. Abbott is notable for many reasons, not least that she was the first Black woman elected to parliament and is the longest-serving Black MP.
Anti-Zionist belief discrimination case: key takeaways for HR
A professor successfully claimed for unfair and wrongful dismissal this week because his views on Zionism were held to be a philosophical belief. In such politically fraught discussions, how should HR deal with employees’ conflicting views? This week, a sociology professor won a discrimination claim against the University of Bristol over his Zionist beliefs.
It’s only words: why face-to-face communication matters
“It’s only words, and words are all I have.” Some might recognise these lyrics from the Boyzone song from the 90s. As popular as the song was, neither of these points is true. For loved ones, people we know well, words are not always even necessary. A raised eyebrow, a teased smile, a noticeable habit can all speak volumes without saying a single word. If you are only relying on words, you take away the tone and body language and much of the message is potentially lost on the recipient.
Asos’s decision to scrap diversity targets is at best a knee-jerk reaction and at worse damaging to the entire fashion industry
The recent news that online fashion retailer Asos had made the decision to remove diversity targets from its criteria for directors to receive their bonuses to help them focus on profitability is problematic for several reasons. First, there is an implied message that the choice is one or the other – either the focus is on diversity or profits – but the reality is the two are not mutually exclusive.
Does KSI's Countdown slur normalise racism?
KSI’s throwaway racist slur whilst appearing on Sidemen’s edition of Countdown, and the subsequent reaction from fellow contestants, speaks volumes of how little progress has been made. My kids, all young adults, are Sidemen fans and in addition to following their online content, have gone to watch them play football, in a charity game and order their branded Sidemen takeaways.
Diversity and inclusion in 2023: The age-old problem persists
It’s a new year, a new month, but we’re still facing the same age-old problem. Slow progress in workplace diversity and inclusion. Before diving into where businesses are falling short on this issue, there are two positives to note. One is that the vocabulary has expanded in recent years so there is far more being said about equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging – or similar permutations of the initials EDIB.
Factory worker was unfairly dismissed for not removing religious necklace, tribunal rules
A Christian factory worker was unfairly dismissed after he refused to remove his crucifix necklace at work, an employment appeal tribunal (EAT) has found. The Dundee employment tribunal heard that Mr J Kovalkovs refused to take off a necklace as it had a religious importance.
Harassment: a subjective test?
Claims in respect of unlawful harassment may be brought under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to conduct that is related to a protected characteristic. The statutory definition stipulates that it is unwanted conduct which violates a person’s dignity or creates an ‘intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment’ for another.
The pitfalls of workplace banter
Banter is often considered a harmless part of the UK workplace environment. However, when it goes too far, banter among colleagues can result in claims of harassment and discrimination. According to a report from the Financial Times, employment tribunal claims related to banter in the workplace increased 44 per cent between 2020 and 2021. The term ‘banter’ is often used by employers to deny that things said amount to acts of bullying, discrimination and harassment.
When are we ‘enough’ at work?
Paul Johnson, a highly regarded economist and director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies presented quite a stark and bleak view of the future during his opening address at CIPD’s Festival of Work. He shared statistics, historical trends and analysis underscoring the impact of high inflation, the pressure on wages affecting real earnings and the tax burden.
How employers should tackle choosing who gets made redundant
In Long v British Gas, the tribunal had to determine whether the selection criteria the employer used to determine who to make redundant in a pool of two, discriminated against a women working part-time hours to accommodate her childcare obligations. Background Mrs Long worked for British Gas as a solicitor. She had a son with “significant additional needs” and then gave birth to triplets. After her maternity leave ended in 2017 she returned to work three days a week.
Bald move: Tribunal was right in sex-related harassment case
After a tribunal judged that calling someone ‘bald’ amounted to harassment related to sex, Shakil Butt describes his own experience of hair loss, explaining why the panel was right to find in the bald man’s favour. Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Patrick Stewart, Samuel L Jackson, Sir Ben Kingsley, Mark Strong, Stanley Tucci, Billy Zane, Jeff Bezos and Prince William. It reads like a list of the rich and famous but they all have one more thing in common.
Why P&O is a good example of how not to conduct redundancies
The sacking of 800 staff by P&O Ferries is shocking and a poor reflection on the Dubai-owned business. The staff were informed on a Zoom call that last Thursday (17 March) was their final day of employment with immediate effect, which obviously would have come as a shock because no warning was given. The call lasted a few minutes and ended with the staff being made redundant.
How can organisations work to stamp out Islamophobia?
Discrimination in the workplace is nothing new. Discrimination at the highest levels of power is also sadly nothing new, including allegations of discrimination that resulted in former Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani being dismissed because of her ‘Muslimness’. Ghani was the first Muslim woman elected as a Tory MP back in 2015, but five years later was ‘replaced’ during a reshuffle without explanation. She has claimed she was told her ‘Muslimness’ was “making colleagues uncomfortable”.
Is this the end of the work suit?
I only knew two things when thinking about my career options. I knew I wanted to work in an office as opposed to being outdoors, and secondly I wanted to wear a suit because they looked smart. As far as career paths in front of me, I could only imagine working in banking, the legal profession or as an accountant mostly because the careers advice at school was fairly limited back in the 80s.
Headscarf ruling is a blow to inclusion
To continue reading please register or login to your OHW+ account. Last week, the European Court of Justice ruled that employers in EU countries could ban staff from wearing religious symbols such as headscarves if this constituted a "genuine need". Legal issues aside, what does this decision mean for inclusion, asks Shakil Butt?
What is HR? (And what should it be?)
I thought I was unique. I changed careers from finance to HR by accident, not design. I was asked to ‘babysit’ a new division as the HR and OD director as an interim solution for three months. It was not until I took on the permanent role and started to meet other HR professionals that I realised how many had ‘fallen’ into HR from other career paths and so how wrong I was to think I was unique. Some had started in an administrative role and taken on some additional responsibilities.
"Is it because I is black?": Why Ali G's catchphrase is a tragic reality
Ali G was popular in the early 2000s Startraks/Shutterstock As organisations make sense of the recent events surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement and how they can do something about racial bias and representation in their own workforce, Shakil Butt explains why an early 2000s TV catchphrase contained an unfortunate grain of truth.
Not all racism is malicious – but its impact is still devastating
Anyone who has worked with me over the last 30 years knows I have my own personal kryptonite. I have always suffered in the heat and would go through various stages of undress (within reason) at the office. At the risk of sounding like a cheap romance novel, first the jacket would come off, then my tie would be loosened and the top button of my shirt would get undone, followed by my shirt sleeves being rolled up and finally – begrudgingly – my waistcoat would come off.
Why the far right 'protests' this weekend were far from our finest hour
Why the far right 'protests' this weekend were far from our finest hour Shakil Butt , June 15, 2020 The scenes of the weekend were ugly with ‘protestors’ gathering in central London to supposedly defend Churchill’s statue from the planned Black Lives Matter protests. Churchill’s statue had been targeted by a small element amongst largely peaceful anti-racism protestors, with one protestor graffiti-labelling Churchill as a racist.
HR needs to take the lead in calling out racism at work
The events of last week, when George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck while restraining him, were very disturbing. As we all know, this was not isolated but a continuation of micro and macro aggressions against people of colour, not just in the USA but sadly across the world. George Floyd is not the first to suffer for no other reason than the colour of his skin. Sadly he will likely not be the last.
How HR can help Muslims during an unusual Ramadan
How HR can help Muslims during an unusual Ramadan Shakil Butt , April 23, 2020 Ramadan has always been a communal event, impacting approximately 1.8 billion Muslims globally. During the coronavirus pandemic, it is therefore going to be a very different experience. Ramadan is a month of fasting for those physically able to fast, from sunrise to sunset, where Muslims abstain from food and drink and sexual relations.
To say we ‘don’t see colour’ is extremely unhelpful
I loved musicals growing up and one of my favourites was the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I loved all the songs as a child but as an adult one in particular has taken on new meaning. It’s near the end and called Doll on a Music Box. In it one of the lead characters sings the lines: “What do you see, you people gazing at me?” It’s a question I ask people who don’t know me when I deliver sessions on diversity and inclusion (actually I sing the question – or try).
Is The Apprentice racist? Lessons for race at work
Is The Apprentice racist? Lessons for race at work Shakil Butt, November 21, 2019 With its BAME firing rate and lack of BAME winners it seems the BBC show suffers the same ailments as the business world Is The Apprentice racist was the question posed by the Guardian Guardian this week, after seven BAME candidates were fired in seven weeks. The first season winner was Tim Campbell, a black candidate... so surely not?
A royal arrival: Lessons in engagement and inclusion
A royal arrival: Lessons in engagement and inclusion Shakil Butt, May 10, 2019 With the news about the latest royal baby comes a renewed sense of optimism amid challenging times The story of two very different people coming together across class divides and racial backgrounds now ushering in the next generation of royals is a powerful message. This showcases what love can do.
Harnessing the power of internal influencers
Harnessing the power of internal influencers Jenny Perkins, February 26, 2019 Internal influencers can engage others, demonstrate the benefits of change and get people on board with organisational objectives Campaigns and brand initiatives with social media influencers form an integral part of many organisations’ communications strategies; their advocacy proving a powerful tool in reaching and engaging with external audiences.
Your engagement survey could be fake news
Your engagement survey could be fake news Peter Crush, February 25, 2019 Beware the ‘fake news’ that can be presented in engagement survey participation and results In some firms engagement surveys are now sent round with great regularity. But frequency isn’t necessarily a guarantee of success. Establishing a well-rounded, well-responded-to survey, where the data gathered gives a true picture of workforce engagement, is more of a minefield than many might imagine.
Staff working three extra days each month
Staff working three extra days each month Rachel Muller-Heyndyk, February 19, 2019 Almost one in eight (79%) office-based staff work on average 20.4 hours (almost three full working days) beyond their contracted hours each month, sapping their productivity and wellbeing The research by Maxis Global Benefits Network surveyed office-based employees across international markets including the UK, US, Russia and UAE, finding that staff worked extra hours because of company cultures which make...
HR's stance on office romance
HR's stance on office romance Shakil Butt, February 14, 2019 Relationships between employees will happen, and it's not for HR to leave a trail of broken hearts Love is in the air. Chocolates will be purchased, flowers exchanged and candle-lit dinners will be consumed, all in the name of love on this Valentine’s Day. Is love in the workplace still a ‘thing’?
The time to act on ethics is now
The CIPD believes “work can be and should be a force for good” and has rightly been emphasising the human in human resources. HR is a big part of doing what’s right and getting beyond the tired mantra of ‘doing more with less’ and the efficiency drives of recent times.
Greater workplace support for fertility patients needed
Greater workplace support for fertility patients needed Suvir Venkataraman, December 27, 2018 Infertility can be emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially draining, and it is estimated that one in seven couples have problems conceiving While we have clear statutory rights and policies in place when it comes to pregnancy, as well as maternity and paternity leave, this isn’t the case for those who are dealing with fertility issues and treatment.
The good, the bad and the indifferent
Are continuous performance conversations actually better than performance reviews? Comparing performance under the two approaches is not a like-for-like exercise As we near the year end, a number of HR functions will be initiating the performance review process. With roots back to 1954 and based on the principle ‘that what gets measured gets done’, performance reviews are a mainstay in most organisations.
If Doctor Who can be inclusive, we all can
Last Sunday saw the debut of Jodie Whittaker in the titular role of the Doctor in the long-running TV sci-fi drama serial Doctor Who. I am an unashamed nerd and have been a Whovian since the 1970s – I grew up watching Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and Peter Davison playing the role. I was overjoyed when it returned to the small screen in 2005. And then came the announcement that the new Doctor was to be a woman, Jodie Whittaker (pictured above, second from right).
There is life after full-time employment
It’s been just a year since I left my former employer, swapping the world of work for pastures new in the consultancy space. At times, the past 12 months has dragged on, while in other ways it has passed in the blink of an eye. Most of all, it has been surreal – which is understandable, as I’d been an employee for 30 years and had known nothing but work since I was 18. It is often said work gives you purpose there is without doubt some truth in that.
Racial and ethnic prejudice is holding us back
There are many talented people out there in BAME communities looking for work but being overlooked What do you call a can opener that is not being used? A can’t opener. Not being given the opportunity to do something is not the same as not being able to do something. I recently spent a couple of hours with a friend who has been out of work for six months.
It may be time to ditch hierarchies
We view careers as opportunities to progress through top-down hierarchies. But do hierarchies actually work? We are indoctrinated from the earliest age to accept hierarchies, starting with the defined structure in most family homes. ‘Hand-me-downs’ and size differences between siblings underscore top-down relationships in the home, while ‘might is right’ in the playground clarifies who is to be respected.
We must tackle entrenched sexist mindsets
The objectification of women has been around for what seems like forever with deep roots in our culture The #Metoo and #TimesUp campaigns are indicative of the upsurge in women’s voices being heard as a backlash to the revelations around the various scandals that began with Weinstein, the President’s Club and government, and have continued more recently with the third sector. What sector will be next and who will be newly named and shamed? The answer appears to be potentially: anyone, anywhere.
Why Black Panther is a lesson in diversity and inclusion
Black Panther, the latest offering in the superhero film genre, excited many with a 97 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes even before it was released. It has become the most tweeted-about movie of 2018 (although we’re still only in February) and is expected to break records. So what makes Black Panther so notable? In the workplace, racial discrimination and inequity has surfaced repeatedly in numerous studies and research papers.
Opinion: Leadership lessons from the CIPD Annual Conference orchestra
Shakil Butt is moved and inspired by an unusual musical keynote session in Manchester The closing keynote session at this year’s CIPD Annual Conference stood out as an anomaly. Was it a fluffy ‘feel good’ finish that would alienate the target audience? Would it play to the crowd at the expense of challenging ideas?
Managers a leading cause of workplace stress
Younger workers are more likely to feel stressed because of management's behaviour Nearly seven in 10 (69%) employees say the behaviour of managers in their organisation has increased stress, and that the rising stress is having a major impact on company performance, according to research from Metlife.
Getting your enterprise social network strategy right
How can HR encourage employees to engage with enterprise social networks? In an era where people of all ages are increasingly comfortable with the concept of social networking – using sites such as Facebook or Twitter to share status updates, pictures and other information – it is perhaps no surprise these tools are becoming widespread in the workplace.
Are HR directors lacking in international experience?
Why are HR directors so lacking in international experience when compared with their FD peers? We look for an answer and explore the myriad benefits being missed out on by so many. When Mark Freebairn led a recent workshop on careers for FDs, the head of executive search firm Odgers Berndtson’s financial management practice warned them: “The expectation is that you will have visited all your divisions to get multicultural experience. If you haven’t, I guarantee that your competition has.
Employee engagement closely tied to health and wellbeing
Most employers know that an engaged workforce is more likely to be a more productive one, but less acknowledged is the link between engagement and the health and wellbeing of staff. Can you have employee engagement without wellbeing, or are the two inextricably linked, even symbiotic? This question should be important to anyone interested in creating the right environment for success – one in which employees are motivated and productive.
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